NEWS

‘We want Cyril Ramaphosa as the next ANC president’ – Cosatu

Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) remains adamant that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa should become the next African National Congress (ANC) president.

Addressing the federation’s sixth central executive committee meeting, deputy president Tyotyo James said that they are making the pronouncement on the ANC’s succession battle because they want to save the ruling party from self-destruction.

Although the ANC only opened the succession debate on Monday following its three-day long national executive committee, a lot of ANC leaders including president Jacob Zuma have made their choices clear.

Zuma has endorsed the former African Union Commission chairperson and ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to takeover when his term comes to an end in December.

The ANC Women’s League has also endorsed Dlamini-Zuma.

Cosatu said that they must not be condemned for making a call that Ramaphosa should succeed Zuma.

“Cosatu must not be condemned for its choice of who should be the president of the ANC, we are not confused. We want the current deputy president to be the president of the ANC. That is clear.” said Tyotyo.

“We must not be condemned when we say that because others are making pronouncement as they are not condemned. We want Cyril Ramaphosa as the president.”

This comes weeks after Cosatu banned Zuma from addressing any of its gatherings stating that they want Ramaphosa to address them instead.

Mantashe on succession debate

“The NEC agreed that we should continue discussing the principle that should guide election of leadership in the ANC but allow the structures of the ANC to start discussing the names. Such discussions should be based on the principles discussed and through the eye of the needle. Nominations will only be opened in September 2017,” said ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe adding that the debates will be closely monitored to ensure potential candidates are not ridiculed or defamed.

Mantashe was speaking at a press conference held by the ANC on Monday afternoon.